Our Team

Our team, comprised of visionaries, designers, and builders, is steadfast in reshaping contemporary hospitality to provide an extraordinary and unparalleled fan experience.

Aaron Wood

Sr. VP Project Management

Aaron Wood is a seasoned project management professional at Liquid Sportsgroup, bringing over 15 years of experience leading complex initiatives across the sports and entertainment industry. Prior to joining Liquid Sportsgroup, Aaron held key project management roles at the University of South Florida and spent three years with the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning, where he specialized in executing high-impact projects on time and within budget.
Throughout his career, Aaron has been recognized for his strategic mindset, collaborative leadership style, and ability to drive results through clear communication and stakeholder alignment. His expertise spans cross-functional team management, operational efficiency, and innovative problem-solving—all rooted in a disciplined, task-oriented approach.
Aaron holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University at Buffalo and a Master of Business Administration from the University of South Florida. He has also earned certifications in Modern Management and Business Foundations from USF.

Chris James

VP Finance & Administration

Chris James is a seasoned professional with 21 years of experience in Major League Baseball, having served with the Oakland Athletics, Arizona Diamondbacks, and San Diego Padres. His career has been marked by progressive finance roles, culminating in executive-level positions.
In addition to his extensive MLB experience, Chris has a background in other sports, including stints with the AAA Phoenix Firebirds, AAA Memphis Redbirds, AAA Worcester Red Sox, Arizona State University Athletics, Arizona Fall League, and Cactus League MLB Spring Training.
Throughout his career, Chris has demonstrated a proficiency in establishing and enhancing financial processes and reporting systems for organizations. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Finance and Marketing from Arizona State University and a Master's degree in Accounting from Grand Canyon University. Chris is also an inactive CPA licensed in the State of California.

Hank Baarslag

VP Design

Hank Baarslag is Vice President of Design at Liquid Sportsgroup, where he leads the company’s creative vision and design strategy across sports and lifestyle brands. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Media from Washington State University and brings nearly two decades of experience, having contributed to large-scale visual design programs, collaborated with top-tier clients, and shaped impactful brand experiences across retail, restaurant interiors, and environmental graphics.
Prior to joining Liquid Sportsgroup, Hank spent more than eight years at Messenger in Seattle, most recently as Creative Director. There, he guided design teams through complex brand and marketing campaigns and mentored young creatives.
Earlier in his career, Hank held multiple design roles at SuperGraphics, advancing to Senior Designer and managing projects spanning professional sports stadiums, trade shows, and large-scale brand installations. He also gained early experience at Santora Media Group, developing brand identities and marketing collateral for small businesses, which built a strong foundation for his leadership in the design industry.

Mark Hawksworth

Co-Founder & COO

Mark Hawksworth brings over 35 years of executive experience in sales, marketing, and design integration to his role at Liquid Sportsgroup, where he leads business development and new client acquisition. With a strong background in account and brand management, Mark has built a reputation for driving strategic growth and delivering innovative, results-driven solutions.
Throughout his career, Mark has worked with major retail brands such as Starbucks, Nordstrom, Whole Foods, and MOD Pizza, and collaborates closely with hospitality leaders including Compass, Aramark, Legends, Sodexo, HMSHost, and SSP America. His work spans a wide range of venues across North America, where he bridges the gap between brand identity and guest experience.
Mark brings a sharp understanding of consumer behavior, cultural trends, and the evolving retail landscape to every project. He believes that physical space plays a critical role in shaping the customer journey—no matter where, PEOPLE GATHER—and uses this philosophy to help clients create impactful, experience-focused environments.

Max Enriquez

Marketing Manager

Maxwell Enriquez is the Marketing Manager for Liquid Sportsgroup, where he leads social media strategy, brand visibility initiatives, and client marketing projects. He develops and implements digital campaigns, curates content across platforms, monitors performance analytics, and produces marketing decks for both current and prospective partners, in addition to overseeing development of the LQD website. His role centers on elevating the company’s presence through creative storytelling and innovative digital engagement, ensuring consistent growth across Liquid Sportsgroup’s portfolio.
Prior to joining Liquid Sportsgroup in 2024, Maxwell earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with concentrations in Marketing and Management from the University of Jamestown, where he was also a member of the Men’s Volleyball team. Following graduation, he pursued his passion for sports marketing, focusing on digital engagement and brand growth within the sports and entertainment industry.
Maxwell remains connected to volleyball as both a high school and club coach. He resides in San Diego and is an avid fan of the Padres, Chargers, and Lakers.

Nick Valverde

Director of Finance & Administration

Nick joined Liquid Sports Group in 2026, bringing over seven years of experience in financial management and FP&A. After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from UC Davis, he began his career at LPL Financial, where he worked as an underwriter and credit analyst. He later earned a Master’s in Finance and Analytics from Santa Clara University and transitioned into the hospitality industry, contributing to the financial operations of several large-scale properties. Nick has held roles including Finance Manager at Hyatt Vacation Club and Assistant Director of Finance with both Marriott and Fairmont, building a strong foundation in operational finance and strategic planning.
At Liquid Sports Group, Nick is committed to ensuring his business counterparts manage projects efficiently, analytically, and within budget. He brings a detail-oriented and collaborative approach to every initiative, helping teams make informed financial decisions that drive success. His ability to translate complex financial data into actionable insights makes him a valuable partner across teams.
Outside of work, Nick happily enjoys spending time outside with his wife Riley and their three children: Joseph, Lucia, and Francesca.

Scott Marshall

Co-Founder & CEO

Scott Marshall is a co-founding partner and CEO of Liquid Sportsgroup, overseeing all business operations, hospitality consultation, and partner relations. Formerly the Chief Hospitality Officer for the San Diego Padres, Scott was charged with developing and implementing the overall hospitality strategy for the Padres and Petco Park by building brands, creating new concepts and driving fan experience.
Prior to the Padres, Scott spent 25 years with Centerplate, one of the largest hospitality companies in the world with over 300 accounts worldwide. He served as Senior Vice President of Innovation and Fan Engagement, directing the company's overall strategy for CRM promotions & programs, best practices, new innovation and emerging technologies. As Senior Vice President of Operations for Centerplate, Scott had direct responsibilities for the western area with accounts including Oracle Park, T-Mobile Park and the former Qualcomm Stadium.
Scott earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in finance from the University of San Diego. He also attended and played football at the University of Southern California, though he now prefers a golf club and watching Trojan football. He and his wife, Nicol, reside in San Diego where he enjoys stalking his three amazing daughters on social media, enjoying San Diego Padres games, and participating on the board of Make-A-Wish San Diego.

Taylor Esoldi

Sr. Project Manager

Taylor Esoldi is a Sr. Project Manager with Liquid Sportsgroup, contributing his leadership and operational expertise to large-scale hospitality and sports initiatives. Prior to joining Liquid Sportsgroup, Taylor served as a U.S. Navy Officer, where he held multiple leadership roles and managed complex technical projects across the fleet. He began his career in his hometown of San Diego, CA, serving aboard the USS San Diego as a Division Officer, overseeing maintenance projects within the radar, communications, and electronics division. Following his selection and graduation from the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program, Taylor served on the USS Harry S Truman as a supervisor of nuclear reactor operations and Assistant Department Head, leading major life-cycle projects for the propulsion and reactor training divisions.
In 2024, Taylor transitioned into the sports industry, earning a Master’s in Sports Management from Columbia University. During his graduate studies, he gained valuable experience with Williams Racing’s commercial and marketing strategy team and Wasserman’s creative strategy group, where he contributed to brand engagement strategies and commercial growth initiatives.
Taylor earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Naval Academy. A San Diego native, he remains passionate about sports, leadership, and driving innovative fan experiences.

Virgil Enriquez

VP Build

Virgil Enriquez is a seasoned professional with over 35 years of experience in the construction industry, specializing in both private and public projects. He currently serves as Vice President of Build at Liquid Sportsgroup, overseeing complex construction and design-build projects across sports and lifestyle venues to ensure they are delivered on time, on budget, and to the highest standards of quality.
Virgil’s career includes a decade in the Food and Beverage industry at Service America and 18 years as the owner and operator of Balt Services Inc. and MCV Companies Inc., managing project lifecycles, estimating, contracts, and client coordination. He also served as Senior Estimator at Prestige Contracting Inc., preparing proposals and supervising estimating staff, and as Land Development Manager at Highland Fairview, overseeing contracts and purchasing for all land development trades.
He graduated from the University of San Diego in 1989 with a degree in Business Administration, where he played four years on the USD football team. Outside of work, he enjoys golf, coaching high school football, traveling, and spending time with his family.